M·E·L Research Ltd · 2021
This report, commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority Homelessness Taskforce, examines the experiences of families with dependent children living in temporary accommodation (TA) across the seven WMCA constituent local authorities. It finds that over 3,500 families (around 14,000 people including 8,240 children) were in TA on 1 March 2021, with Birmingham accounting for 84% of cases and average stays of nearly 1.5 years. Key drivers of homelessness include private rented sector failures, domestic abuse, debt, and asylum/refugee status, while families report serious impacts on mental health, children's education, and wellbeing. The report identifies good practice across the region and makes recommendations around prevention, faster move-on, better support, and increased affordable housing supply.